The word Rapture (& more info)
Q: I’m genuinely curious where the word “rapture” originated as it’s not a word used at all in scripture. I know 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 refers to us being “caught up”, but throughout all of scripture, I don’t see the word “rapture”.
The verse for reference: For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
A: The Bible you are reading is an English translation. The word comes from original Bible languages, and translations from the past.
The Latin translation of this verse used the word "Rapturo". The English translated word is Rapture. Latin and English, as Western languages, are all similar.
The Greek word it translates is harpazo, which means to snatch or take away. Elsewhere it is used to describe how the Spirit caught up Philip near Gaza and brought him to Caesarea (Acts 8:39) and to describe Paul’s experience of being caught up into the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2-4).
There can be no doubt that the word is used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 to indicate the actual removal of people from earth to heaven. The Rapture.
It corresponds to the end times timeline that the Bible clearly presents. Which would be consistent with God’s character to protect His people from His wrath. For examples see Enoch raptured out prior to the Flood, Noah being saved out of it, (to continue humanity). Lot being rescued, & Egyptian plagues. These serve as illustrations and shadows, but also NT Scripture points to the Church no longer being here, Revelation does too.
A leaky pretribulationism end times view is more accurate biblically. Scripturally speaking, 1 Thessalonians 5:9 declares, “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” If the tribulation is the time period of God’s wrath, Christians wont be included among those who will receive God’s wrath in the end times. Further, *God will keep believers from the time period of testing that is coming on the whole world*, Revelation 3:10: “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.”
Theologically speaking, if the tribulation is the time period during which God especially refocuses His attention on the nation of Israel, fulfilling the last seven of Daniel’s seventy sevens prophecy, what would be the purpose of the church being present during that time period? The Bible does not explicitly mention the "Church" after Chapter 2 of the Revelation. Revelation chapters 6—18 describes the tribulation, & it nowhere mentions anything about the Church. She is fine 🙂. The next we see her is The Wedding Feast which happens in Ch 19 (where other believers will attend). Then in Revelation 22:12: The Bema seat/Rewards are given to the believers, and is The Judgment Day for the unsaved. "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done." Eternity for all begins then. The sin free New Heaven & Earth appear & we live together in peace and joy forevermore.
If you're wondering 🤔 What seperate role and place the Bride has, distinctly different from OT believers and those saved after the Rapture....
The Church, as the Bride of Christ, has & will have a unique and special status in the end times & in eternity compared to other believers.
Special Status of the Bride in Eternity
1. Unique Relationship with Christ
- The Church is described as the Bride of Christ, which signifies a special, intimate relationship with Him that is distinct from other believers. This relationship is emphasized in passages like Ephesians 5:25-27, where Christ's love for the Church is compared to a husband's love for his wife.
2. Rewards and Responsibilities
- Eternal Rewards: the Church will receive specific rewards and responsibilities in the eternal state that may differ from those given to Old Testament saints and Tribulation believers. This is often linked to the Bema Seat Judgment, where believers are rewarded based on their faithfulness and works.
3. Role in the Kingdom
- The Church is believed to have a prominent role in the Millennial Kingdom and beyond, serving alongside Christ in ways that may not apply to Old Testament believers. This includes reigning with Christ, as indicated in Revelation 20:4.
4. Distinct Promises
- The promises made to the Church are seen as distinct from those made to Israel. While both groups will experience eternal life and fellowship with God, the nature of their experiences and roles may differ.
Bride of Christ (the Church) will enjoy a special status in eternity, with unique rewards and responsibilities that set it apart from Old Testament and Tribulation era believers. This perspective emphasizes the distinct roles and promises associated with each group in God's redemptive plan.
OK but why is Rev 3 discussing the Church if we dont see the Church after Ch2?
Revelation 3:10 was addressed to the Church in Philadelphia and is interpreted as a promise of protection. It is a direct assurance that faithful believers will be kept from the future Tribulation period, & thus the Church will not experience this time of judgment.
The Church's absence in Revelation chapters 2-18 is reconciled with Revelation 3:10 by interpreting the latter as a promise of protection for the Church, indicating that it will be kept from the Tribulation. [It's right on the edge of Ch2 anyway]. And it aligns with the Pre-Tribulation Rapture view. Christ loves the Church. The Bride will be taken to Heaven by the Bridegroom before the trials unfold on Earth.
The below End Times resource will go through all the above and more. It will also answer the false idea that pretribulationism is a relatively recent development in Christian theology (since the 1800s). While the voice of Christian history should always be taken into account, those folk argument is not convincing. After all, until the Reformation, it could be said that no one had been teaching salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone for nearly 1500 years. Ultimately, doctrines stand and fall with the question “Is it biblical?”, not by “Has it been popular historically?” but that issue is addressed in the above resource and might surprise you.
It is important to know what Scripture says, by studying it yourself, not listening to those with modern views who want to drag you backwards into antisemitic Catholic beliefs, some if which the early reformers may have held to even after leaving Catholicism, incl the ones who died as martyrs, (at the hands of RCC), who having not lived long enough as a believer to study that topic 1. at all, or 2. with no access to any early (real) church documents to do so at that time of studying (after leaving RCC), thus 3. not able to look into it deeply enough. We can. Because of the Reformers we have access to the Bible and can read it, and now have access to early Church material (Apostles churches, their disciples churches thru 325AD) to know what was taught.
Hope that helps!
Don't let others cause you to have fear and anxiety over this issue. Trust God who is in control, loves you, and has your best in mind.
May "the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
Like the Bereans, be a good student of Scripture looking into the doctrines it teaches us. And you'll be equipped with the knowledge, with the Word for every good work, and an approved workman to serve God, grow to be more like Christ, and able to discern false teachings & error.
God bless
Related
Study who God is (incl. his attributes)
Footnotes
Some credits to above for a few bits fm
GotQuestions.org, Bible.org, & Gptchat
